TORONTO, May 5, 2016 – Watch Mercury transit across the Sun’s disk at York University on May 9. The last time Mercury made the move was in 2006.
Observatory telescopes and a live feed will be in place at York Lions Stadium, from 9am to 2pm, with solar glasses available for everyone attending. The free public event is hosted by the Astronomical Observatory and the Astronomy Club at York University.
Since the orbit of Mercury lies inside of Earth's orbit, Mercury passes between Earth and the Sun about 13 times per century. From Earth, we see this as a small black dot moving slowly in front of the Sun.
Mercury transits the Sun as seen from Earth in 2006. Credit ESA NASA SOHO
“Observing the Mercury transit reveals one of the fundamental ways we detect exoplanets orbiting other stars”, says Paul Delaney, director of the York University Astronomical Observatory and the Division of Natural Science, Faculty of Science, York University. “This event highlights the gravitational embrace stars have for planets and how we can learn so much from such simple observations.”
The actual transit will start at 7:10am and end at 2:44pm. For those unable to attend the event at York, the event can also be monitored via the York University Observatory website.
WHAT: Mercury in Transit spectator event at York University
WHEN: Monday, May 9, from 9am to 2pm
WHERE: York Lions Stadium, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto (number 6 on the Map).
COST: Free
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Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097 / sandramc@yorku.ca
